Architecture Research Methods ARCH 5365

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Architecture Research MethodsARCH 5365

• Gary W. Smith, 2006

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• . . . most innovative research in architecture
  will be interdisciplinary, requiring atypical or
  unexpected combinations of methods.
• think outside the box

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• . . . if architecture as a field can be
  strengthened and enriched through research, then
  the power of architecture to enhance peoples
  lives will be strengthened as well.

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• multiple connections between human experience
  and built form
• Architectural research allows us to understand .
  . . that successful built environments are
  successful not just because of their physical
  attributes, but also because of many human
  considerations . . . including subjective
  preferences, memory, physical comfort, and a
  sense of ones social roles.

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• architecture encompasses so many different
  disciplines that architectural research must
  engage with what all of them have to offer.

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• What is a Topic of Inquiry?

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• Topic of Inquiry filtered through the
  Interdisciplinary Screen includes
• Interpretive-historical research
• Qualitative research
• Correlational research
• Experimental research
• Simulation research
• Logical argumentation
• Case study/mixed methods

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• In the 70s there was a surge in research into
  energy conservation
• Sustainability research in the 90s
• WHAT NOW?

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• James Snyder defines research as systematic
  inquiry directed toward the creation of
  knowledge.
• What is Systematic inquiry?

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• New knowledge (creation) can involve
• assessing the outcome of fusing two previously
  distinct functional building types
• testing materials
• evaluating the success of particular building
  forms in communicating intended meanings to
  different stakeholders
• advances in the process of design and the
  practices of architectural firms

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• Why is research important to architectural
  practice?
• Architectural design and practice
• often involves unfamiliar circumstances beyond
  the expertise of individual practitioners and
  beyond the conventional wisdom of the profession
• is often extraordinarily complicated
• is fraught with uncertainty if unconventional
  aesthetic principles are used in setting
  involving conflicting stakeholder values.
• may involve particular requirements that are not
  well documented

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• What are examples of Systems of Inquiry
• Critical Theory
• Poststructuralist
• Post-positivism
• Structuralist

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• Strategy (method) is the skillful management and
  planning of anything, the overall research plan
  or structure of the research study, or research
  design (an action plan for getting from here to
  there).

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• Tactics are any skillful move (war references),
  specific techniques, i.e. data collection
  devices, response formats, archival treatment,
  analytical procedures

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Systems of Inquiry
Strategies
Tactics
Note that these are broad to specific